When you’ve been looking forward to meeting your baby, and all that motherhood will include, you’re prepared for sleepless nights, spit up, and magical moments. In my practice, I’ve found that postpartum anxiety often catches women off-guard.
Frequently, postpartum women don’t know that they are experiencing postpartum anxiety until I name it for them. They think “this is just what having a baby is like.” Often times, this is a message they are getting from their parents, sibilings, friends, and the internet. Once I name is as postpartum anxiety, they almost always ask how long postpartum anxiety will last.
The question they’re really asking is: will it feel like this forever?
Postpartum Anxiety 101
Postpartum anxiety is a common condition that affects many new mothers after childbirth. It is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry, fear, and nervousness about the health and well-being of your baby, as well as your ability to care for your baby. If you want to learn more about the symptoms of postpartum anxiety, you can learn more here.
How Long Does Postpartum Anxiety Last?
Regardless of your symptoms, postpartum anxiety is rarely a pleasant experience. I wish I could wave and magic wand and tell each of them it will be gone in a few sessions, but the truth is that it can last weeks, frequently lasts months, and occasionally sticks around for years.
For most women, anxiety begins to present itself it in the first 6 months postpartum. Many of my clients are surprised by this, assuming that postpartum anxiety only pops up in the newborn days, or what they anticipated to be the “hardest part” of motherhood. Some women who seek treatment begin to feel a shift within the first couple sessions. For others, it takes months to feel like themselves again.
What Can You Do To Feel Like Yourself Again?
Regardless of how long it takes, seeking support from a licensed therapist or a medical provider who can explore pharmaceutical options is important.
They can help you develop a plan for managing your symptoms, caring for yourself, and leaning on the available support systems and resources in your area. There are likely ways to make this season easier for you, and alleviate some of the logistical and mental weight you are carrying.
Additionally, you can plug into local communities to develop new social supports. Resources like local breastfeeding support groups, new mom circles, and mom’s clubs are great places to start. If you don’t know where to find them, ask your mental providers and check facebook by searing “moms group in [your city]”.
Why Am I Feeling Anxious Months Into Postpartum? Shouldn’t I Be Adjusted By Now?
The truth it, symptoms of anxiety can present at any point of your postpartum journey. Symptoms might pop up in the first few months, but many moms find latter stages of babyhood more mentally challenging. Specifically, the transitioning back to work, seasons of weaning, and attempts to change sleep schedules and habits can be mentally and physically exhausting and lead to an increase in symptoms.
It’s also important to note: you technically can’t be diagnosed with anxiety until the symptoms have been present for 6 months. This doesn’t mean that you aren’t experiencing extremely challenging symptoms, it simply means that you haven’t met the clinical threshold for the label.
If you seek therapy and your therapist believes you will benefit from therapy within this window, it will be called an Adjustment Disorder with symptoms of anxiety.
But, at any point in the PPA journey, there are medications and tools that can help make the symptoms more manageable.
Making Postpartum Anxiety More Manageable
While it can be a challenging experience, there are some ways in which postpartum anxiety can be a good thing. Often times, one of the best tools we have for managing symptoms of anxiety is noticing and accepting them, rather than allowing them to take over our mind and body.
One of my favorite ways to do this is working with clients to point out the good things that Postpartum Anxiety can bring.
The Benefits of Postpartum Anxiety
First and foremost, postpartum anxiety can be a sign that you care deeply about your baby and want to provide the best possible care.
The intense worry and concern can motivate moms to be more vigilant and attentive to her baby’s needs, ensuring that the baby receives the care and attention they need to thrive. In this way, postpartum anxiety can help a mother develop a stronger bond with her baby and become a more attentive and nurturing parent.
Postpartum anxiety can also be a catalyst for personal growth and self-improvement. Many new mothers who I work with experience a sense of identity loss and struggle with their new role as a parent. Postpartum anxiety can motivate a mother to seek out information and resources on how to care for her baby, as well as to take care of her own physical and emotional needs. This can lead to personal growth and self-discovery, as well as the development of new skills and abilities.
Furthermore, postpartum anxiety can be an opportunity to build a support network and connect with other new mothers. Many women feel isolated and alone after having a baby, but experiencing postpartum anxiety can lead to reaching out for help and support. This can lead to the formation of friendships and social connections, as well as access to resources and information that can be helpful for both the mother and baby.
Finally, postpartum anxiety can be a temporary experience that resolves with time and proper care. With the right treatment and support, many women are able to overcome their anxiety and develop a sense of confidence and comfort in their new role as a parent. This can lead to a greater sense of self-esteem and well-being, as well as a stronger bond with their baby.
In conclusion, while postpartum anxiety can be a difficult experience, it can also be a positive and transformative one. It can motivate a mother to be more attentive and nurturing to her baby, lead to personal growth and self-improvement, build a support network, and ultimately lead to greater confidence and well-being. With the right care and support, postpartum anxiety can be a temporary and manageable condition that ultimately leads to a stronger and more fulfilling bond between mother and baby.
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